Time running out for Pendle constituency change comments

Published:19:58Friday 25 November 2011

Share this article

PENDLE people have just days left to make their views known on the biggest shake-up of the local Parliamentary constituency in 30 years.

The Boundary Commission for England is proposing to wipe the present Parliamentary constituency, set up in 1983, from the map, placing West Craven in a revamped Ribble Valley constituency and Nelson, Colne, Barrowford, Brierfield and villages in Pendle in a new seat with five wards in Burnley named Burnley North and Nelson.

The suggestion has provoked mixed reactions in Pendle - politicians from all parties have voiced their opposition and called for the present seat to be retained, people living in Colne have been angered at the proposed name of the new constituency - should it be formed - while some West Craven readers have welcomed the fact they would no longer be part of Pendle.

These proposals have come about as the Coalition government plans to reduce the cost of politics, by reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600. In addition, to saving money, this move is about equality and fairness across the United Kingdom. Constituencies are being redrawn to make them similar in terms of the number of voters and give everyone’s vote a more equal weight, wherever they live.

The Pendle seat was created in 1983 when the old Nelson and Colne seat was abolished and West Craven was transferred from the Skipton constituency into Pendle to match the Parliamentary boundary with the local government one.

The Boundary Commission’s proposals are subject to public consultation until Monday, December 5th.

You can write to the Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ or email your views at: northwest@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov

Trending

Burnley Primark opening date finally revealed

Brave teen dies four weeks after losing both his legs to deadly bug

Burnley and Pendle drug gang jailed

Nelson father banned from driving abuses and confronts man after being called a paedophile